The Nuggets are finalizing a trade to send Will Barton and Monte Morris to Washington in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, sources confirmed to The Denver Post.
The Nuggets had been eyeing Caldwell-Pope since the trade deadline and viewed him as a defensive upgrade and a player with championship experience.
Caldwell-Pope has one year remaining on his deal, and the Nuggets have interest in retaining him beyond this season, a source told The Post.
With Calvin Booth running the Nuggets, Denver had a mandate to improve defensively this offseason. Caldwell-Pope is an immediate upgrade in the backcourt over Barton.